As a proud resident of the GTA for over 20 years, I’m excited to provide an in-depth insider’s look at what exactly the Greater Toronto Area is and what life is like across this dynamic region I call home. Whether you’re visiting, moving here, or just curious to learn more, read on for a comprehensive overview of Canada’s largest metropolitan area.
Defining the GTA – It‘s About More Than Just Toronto
When people think of Toronto, they often just picture the downtown core along the shores of Lake Ontario. But the entire Greater Toronto Area spans far beyond that, encompassing unique communities across four surrounding regions.
So what exactly makes up the GTA? Here’s a quick rundown:
- City of Toronto – Canada’s largest city, the urban core, and the most densely populated part of the GTA
- Durham Region – Eastern suburbs along Lake Ontario
- York Region – Northern suburbs with a mix of urban and rural areas
- Peel Region – Western suburbs stretching to Toronto Pearson Airport
- Halton Region – Western suburbs along Lake Ontario including cities like Burlington and Oakville
With a total population of over 6 million, the GTA accounts for nearly 1 in 5 Canadians. It’s the anchor of the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, a densely populated and industrialized region surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario with over 9 million residents.
By the Numbers – GTA’s Vital Statistics
To understand the scale and diversity of the GTA, let’s look at some key stats:
- Total GTA population (2021 census): 6,197,916
- Toronto population (2021): 2,791,140
- Population density: 871/km2
- Land area: 7,125 km2
- Median age: 40.8 years old
- Average household income: $102,721
- Immigrant population: 51% foreign-born
- Most common non-official languages: Punjabi, Chinese, Italian, Tagalog
- Average monthly rent (Toronto): $1,467
- Average monthly rent (905 regions): $1,555
- Total housing units: 2,180,615
- Owner households: 1,153,545 (53%)
- Renter households: 1,027,070 (47%)
- Key industries: Finance, tech, film/media, life sciences, manufacturing, food & beverage
This data illustrates the scale, diversity, and affordability challenges across the Greater Toronto Area. With such a large geographic footprint and population, averages conceal major differences between neighborhoods. Next, we’ll dive deeper into Toronto vs. the 905.
Toronto vs. the 905: Key Differences Across the GTA
Within the GTA, Toronto proper and the surrounding 905 regions have distinct identities:
The 416 – Toronto’s Urban Core
- 416 area code
- Historic city center along Lake Ontario
- Skyscrapers and highrises
- Highest population density
- Transit hub with subway, streetcars
- Ethnically diverse
- Bustling entertainment districts
- High cost of living
The 905 – Suburban Regions Surrounding Toronto
- 905 area code
- Lower density suburbs and smaller cities
- Car-dependent with highways
- More affordable housing prices
- Go Train commuter rail service
- Mix of urban and rural
- Growing tech and business centers
As you can see, Toronto and the 905 offer different lifestyles. Below I’ll share more about the pros and cons of living in each region.
Navigating the Diverse Neighborhoods of Toronto and the GTA
With its varied geography and history of amalgamation, Toronto and the GTA are a complex mosaic of unique neighborhoods and districts. Here’s a sampling of some of the most notable:
Toronto’s Downtown Core: This is the dense urban heart of the 416 along the Lake Ontario waterfront. Major districts include the Financial District, Harbourfront, Entertainment District, Fashion District, Discovery District, St. Lawrence, and the Distillery District.
North York: A former city merged into Toronto, comprising diverse residential districts like Willowdale, Newtonbrook, Downsview, and York University Heights.
Scarborough: A sprawling eastern district known for its large Chinese, South Asian, and Tamil communities.
Etobicoke: A former city merged into Toronto on the west side. Includes areas like Mimico, New Toronto, and The Kingsway. Home of Pearson International Airport.
East York: A former working class borough merged into Toronto. Residential area.
York Region: Northern suburbs like Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Aurora. Known for business parks and tech campuses.
Peel Region: Western suburbs including Mississauga and Brampton. Heavily South Asian communities.
Halton Region: Affluent communities like Oakville, Burlington, and Milton along the lake.
Durham Region: Eastern suburbs like Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa along the lake. GM auto plants.
This just scratches the surface of all the amazing neighborhoods that make up the GTA mosaic. Next let’s look at the history behind this patchwork of cities and boroughs.
Amalgamation and the Evolution of Toronto and the GTA
To understand how Toronto and the GTA came to exist in their current form, we need to go back to 1998. That’s when the provincial government under Mike Harris passed the City of Toronto Act, amalgamating the former municipalities of Metropolitan Toronto into the new single City of Toronto.
Here’s a quick historical overview:
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Pre-1998: The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto comprised six cities including Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough.
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1998: Mike Harris’ provincial government forced amalgamation, merging the six cities into the new City of Toronto with Mel Lastman as mayor.
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1998 onward: Toronto emerges as a new “mega-city” while suburban growth continues in the regions of Peel, Halton, York, and Durham.
So while today’s City of Toronto has only existed since 1998, the history of these individual communities dates back over 100 years in some cases. Understanding the geography and history behind each region is key to appreciating the diverse mosaic that makes up the GTA.
Creative Fusion – The Arts, Culture, Sports, and Economy of the GTA
As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto and the GTA benefit from the creative fusion of global influences. Let’s look at some of the key features that define the cultural landscape:
Dynamic Arts and Music Scenes
- Theatre – From big Broadway shows to indie fringe fests
- Comedy – Homebase for Second City alumni like Mike Myers
- Literature – Big Read festival and authors like Margaret Atwood
- Music – Indie bands, Drake, Weeknd, jazz, world music, and more
- Film – TIFF, major studio productions, and more
- Visual arts – AGO, MOCA, graffiti alleys, street art
- Museums – ROM, Science Centre, Bata Shoe Museum, Textile Museum of Canada
Beloved Sports Teams
- Maple Leafs – Historic NHL hockey franchise
- Raptors – Canada’s only NBA team
- Blue Jays – Toronto’s MLB baseball team
- Toronto FC – Popular MLS soccer club
- Argonauts – Long-standing CFL football team
Major Industries and Employment
- Finance – Major banks and investment firms
- Tech – Google, Shopify, major startups
- Film/TV – Movie studios and production
- Sciences – Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
- Food and drink – Microbreweries, distilleries, cafes
Thanks to this blend of arts, sports, and industry, the GTA offers a very high quality of life for residents and visitors to enjoy world-class attractions.
Navigating the GTA: Getting Around by Transit, Car, Train, and Plane
With over 6 million residents spread across 7,000 km2, transportation is crucial for getting around the Greater Toronto Area. Here’s an overview of the main transit options:
Public Transit
- TTC – Toronto’s subway, streetcar, and bus network
- GO Transit – Commuter trains and buses connecting the GTA
- VIA Rail – Passenger rail to destinations across Canada
Driving
- Highways 401, 400, 404, 407, 403, QEW – Major highways
- Gardiner Expressway – Downtown Toronto highway
- Don Valley Parkway – North-south highway
Air Travel
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Main international airport
- Billy Bishop (YTZ) – Island airport for regional flights
- Hamilton (YHM), Waterloo (YKF) – Nearby regional airports
While driving is the preferred mode of transport for many living in the suburban 905 regions, the TTC subway and streetcars offer a convenient way to get around downtown Toronto without a car. GO trains and buses connect the suburbs and provide access to events like Blue Jays games.
No matter how you choose to get around, the GTA offers plenty of transportation options.
Comparing Life in Downtown Toronto vs. the 905 Suburbs
For anyone moving to the Greater Toronto Area, one key decision is whether to live downtown in the urban core or out in the suburban 905 regions. Here’s a quick comparison of the pros and cons:
Downtown Toronto
Pros
- Walkable neighborhoods
- Access to transit, entertainment, shops
- Dynamic urban energy and events
- Prestige of a downtown address
Cons
- Expensive housing costs
- Congestion and busyness
- Limited space in apartments
- Lack of backyards
905 Suburbs
Pros
- More affordable housing options
- Backyards and green space
- Newer housing developments
- Car-friendly layouts
Cons
- Long commutes into Toronto
- Fewer amenities and restaurants
- Less neighborhood vibrancy
- Congestion on highways
While I personally love being right downtown in the heart of the action, the suburbs offer more space and value for growing families. It comes down to lifestyle preferences and budget.
Cost of Living in the Greater Toronto Area
As Canada’s largest and most economically vibrant metro area, the GTA does not come cheap. Here’s a quick look at average costs:
- Rent for 1 bedroom apartment in Toronto: $1,467/month
- Rent for 1 bedroom apartment in 905 suburbs: $1,555/month
- Monthly transit pass: $156
- Gas (regular grade): $1.28/liter
- Loaf of bread: $2.77
- Dozen eggs: $3.35
- Electricity per kWh: $0.096
While rising housing costs have impacted affordability, salaries are also higher on average compared to other Canadian cities. There are still some deals to be found in up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Experiencing Toronto’s Diverse Food Scene
As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto offers an amazing diversity of cuisines to discover. Some favorites include:
- Peameal bacon sandwich – Canadian classic
- Poutine – French fries with gravy and cheese curds
- Roti – Curry and dhal wrapped flatbread
- Ramen – Trendy Japanese noodle soups
- Smoked meat – Montreal-style deli sandwiches
- Jerk chicken – Spicy Jamaican barbecue
- Dumplings – Chinese or Tibetan steamed dumplings
- Butter chicken – Mild curry from Northern India
- Cachapas – Venezuelan corn pancakes
With neighborhoods ranging from Little Italy to Greektown to Little India, there are authentic global flavors to experience across the GTA. It’s a foodie paradise!
Top Things to Do As a Tourist in Toronto and the GTA
For visitors looking to experience the best of the Greater Toronto Area, here are some must-do activities:
- CN Tower – Iconic 553m tower with panoramic views
- Ripley’s Aquarium – Immerse yourself with 20,000 aquatic animals
- AGO – Cutting-edge art gallery with strong Canadian collection
- ROM – World cultures and dinosaurs at the Royal Ontario Museum
- Toronto Zoo – See pandas, polar bears, giraffes, and more
- Niagara Falls day trip – See the stunning falls and casinos
- Toronto Island – Escape the city with beaches, parks, and trails
- Harbourfront – Waterfront district with restaurants, concerts, and lake views
- Hockey Hall of Fame – Interactive hockey museum
- Casa Loma – Gothic revival mansion and gardens
- Graffiti Alley – Instagrammable vibrant street art
No matter your interests, Toronto and the GTA offer something for everyone. I hope this guide provides lots of helpful insights into this amazing place I call home. Let me know if you have any other questions!
